Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God?

Transcription

1 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? For not having ever claimed to be God, Jesus made some pretty arrogant statements. For example, in response to Thomas, Jesus said I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14:6) From this statement alone, one would have to wonder why nobody could come to God directly. Maybe Jesus was really saying that He was God? Many members of Christian cults claim that Jesus never said He was God. However, the biblical evidence shows that this concept is false. This page examines the claims of divinity that Jesus made about Himself. It is true that Jesus never said, I am God directly. However, most of His teachings were done through parables, and not by direct statements. His disciples asked Him why He taught this way. His answer was: And He answered and said to them, To you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been granted. For whoever has, to him shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has shall be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. (Matthew 13:11-13) Those who make the claim that Jesus never claimed to be God are blind and deaf to God s word, by their own choices. JesusclaimstobetheSonofMan Although the title Son of Man may seem fairly innocuous, it is, in fact, a title of the Messiah, of whom the book of Daniel claims that all people will serve and that His kingdom would never end: I kept looking in the night visions, And behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man was coming, And He came up to the Ancient of Days And was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, Glory and a kingdom, That all the peoples, nations, and men of every language Might serve Him. His dominion isaneverlasting dominion Which will not pass away; And His kingdom is one Which will not be destroyed. (Daniel 7:13-14) Obviously, if the Son of Man were only human, He would not be able to establish an eternal kingdom. Likewise, He would not be able to convince all peoples to serve Him. Such abilities and honors are reserved for God alone.

2 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 2 of 10 Jesusclaimstobethe Son of God The Bible makes the direct claim that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 Many others, including the disciples, 2 a Roman Centurian, 3 angels, 4 demons, 5 John the Baptist, 6 Martha, 7 Saul (Paul), 8 and the Ethiopian Eunich 9 make the same claim. Others said that Jesus Himself made the claim to be the Son of God. 10 The gospels also indicate that Jesus Himself made the statement or acknowledged that He was the Son of God many times The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (Mark 1:1) but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name. (John 20:31) who was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead, according to the Spirit of holiness, Jesus Christ our Lord, (Romans 1:4) For the Son of God, Christ Jesus, who was preached among you by us-- by me and Silvanus and Timothy-- was not yes and no, but is yes in Him. (2 Corinthians 1:19) I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me. ( Galatians 2:20) until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:13) Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. (Hebrews 4:14) Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. ( 1John4:15) And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:5) And we know that the Son of God has come, and has given us understanding, in order that we might know Him who is true, and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20) 2 He [Jesus] said to them, But who do you say that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:15-17) Nathanael answered Him, Rabbi, You are the Son of God; You are the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said to him, Because I said to you that I saw you under the fig tree, do you believe? You shall see greater things than these. (John 1:49-50) 3 Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, Truly this was the Son of God! (Matthew 27:54) And when the centurion, who was standing right in front of Him, saw the way He breathed His last, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God! (Mark 15:39) 4 And the angel answered and said to her, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35) 5 And whenever the unclean spirits beheld Him, they would fall down before Him and cry out, saying, You are the Son of God! (Mark 3:11) And demons also were coming out of many, crying out and saying, You are the Son of God! And rebuking them, He would not allow them to speak, because they knew Him to be the Christ. (Luke 4:41) 6 And I have seen, and have borne witness that this is the Son of God. (John 1:34) 7 She [Martha] said to Him, Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world. (John 11:27) 8 and immediately he [Saul] began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, He is the Son of God. (Acts 9:20) 9 And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. (Acts 8:37) 10 HE TRUSTS IN GOD; LET HIM DELIVER Him now, IF HE TAKES PLEASURE IN HIM; for He said, I am the Son of God. (Matthew 27:43) The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by that law He ought to die because He made Himself out to be the Son of God. (John 19:7) 11...And the high priest said to Him, I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. (Matthew 26:63-64) And they all said, Are You the Son of God, then? And He said to them, Yes, I am. (Luke 22:70) He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not

3 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 3 of 10 Virtually all cults will acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, as if the title confers no special meaning or only second class status. This assumption is unrealistic, since no other prophet ever called himself the Son of God. The Jewish leaders of the time knew exactly what this title implied - that Jesus was claiming to be God Himself: For this cause therefore the Jews were seeking all the more to kill Him, because He not only was breaking the Sabbath, but also was calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God. (John 5:18) Claiming to be the Son of God also conferred the title of Messiah or the anointed One. Psalms 2 talks about the Messiah (mashiach), whom it says is God s Son. 12 This great messianic Psalm warns the reader to do homage to the Son and take refuge in Him, 13 sincehewillrulethenations and judge the earth. 14 Jesus claims to be the Messiah (the Christ) The Bible says that Jesus is the Christ, or Messiah - the anointed One of God. Jesus Himself made the claim or acknowledged that He was the Messiah. 15 The title is especially significant with regard to the question at hand - is Jesus God? The Old Testament tells us that the Messiah is God and the eternal Father: believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18) Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live. (John 5:25) do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, You are blaspheming, because I said, I am the Son of God? (John 10:36) But when Jesus heard it, He said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified by it. (John 11:4) And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: The Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet are like burnished bronze, says this: (Revelation 2:18) 12 I will surely tell of the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, Thou art My Son, Today I have begotten Thee. (Psalms 2:7) 13 Do homage to the Son, lest He become angry, and you perish in the way, For His wrath may soon be kindled. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him! (Psalms 2:12) 14 Ask of Me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, And the very ends of the earth as Thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware. (Psalms 2:8-9) 15 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16:16-17) But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, I adjure You by the living God, that You tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have said it yourself; nevertheless I tell you, hereafter you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. (Matthew 26:63-64) But He kept silent, and made no answer. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? And Jesus said, I am; and you shall see THE SON OF MAN SITTING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF POWER, and COMING WITH THE CLOUDS OF HEAVEN. (Mark 14:61-62) The woman said, I know that Messiah (called Christ) is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us. Then Jesus declared, I who speak to you am he. (John 4:25-26) Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (John 17:3)

4 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 4 of 10 For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders; And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6) Other prophecies of the Old Testament tell us that the Messiah would be God: The days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:5-6) The title, The LORD Our Righteousness indicates that the Messiah is God. The Hebrew word translated LORD is yhvh (Yahweh), which is the personal name of God. Jesus claims to have the attributes of God Jesus claimed to have many of the attributes that God alone possess. Jesus claimed to have sent the prophets: Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, ( Matthew 23:34) However, the Old Testament indicates that God sent the prophets. 16 claiming the authority that was previously reserved only for God. Therefore, Jesus was 16 that the LORD sent a prophet to the sons of Israel, and he said to them, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, It was I who brought you up from Egypt, and brought you out from the house of slavery. (Judges 6:8) Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. (2 Chronicles 24:19) The anger of the LORD burned against Amaziah, and he sent a prophet to him, who said, Why do you consult this people s gods, which could not save their own people from your hand? (2 Chronicles 25:15) Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5) Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt until this day, I have sent you all My servants the prophets, daily rising early and sending them. (Jeremiah 7:25) And though the LORD has sent all his servants the prophets to you again and again, you have not listened or paid any attention. (Jeremiah 25:4) and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), (Jeremiah 26:5) But the prophet who prophesies peace will be recognized as one truly sent by the LORD only if his prediction comes true. (Jeremiah 28:9) For they have not listened to my words, declares the LORD, words that I sent to them again and again by my servants the prophets. And you exiles have not listened either, declares the LORD. ( Jeremiah 29:19) Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you will live in the land I have given to you and your fathers. But you have not paid attention or listened to me. (Jeremiah 35:15) Again and again I sent my servants the prophets, who said, Do not do this detestable thing that I hate! (Jeremiah 44:4) nor have we obeyed the voice of the LORD our God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets. (Daniel 9:10) Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the whole remnant of the people

5 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 5 of 10 Jesus claimed that His origins are from heaven, whereas men are from the world: And no one has ascended into heaven, but He who descended from heaven, even the Son of Man. (John 3:13) And He was saying to them, You are from below, I am from above; you are of this world, I am not of this world. (John 8:23) Not only did Jesus claim to come from heaven, but He said that it was my kingdom Isn t heaven God s kingdom? that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:30) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting, that I might not be delivered up to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm. (John 18:36) Jesus claimed to have existed before He was born in Bethlehem: I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, before Abraham was born, I am! At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds. (John 8:58-59) The claim included the term I am - a reference God made of Himself when talking to Moses. 17 The Jews immediately recognized that Jesus was claiming to be God and attempted to stone Him. Jesus also claimed to have existed before the world began : And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began. (John 17:5) This statement is an obvious claim to deity. Not only did Jesus claim to exist before the creation of the universe, but He claimed to share the glory of God! Jesus also claimed that He had all authority... in heaven and on earth and that everything of God was His. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (Matthew 28:18) Jesus claimed to be the supreme judge who will exercise all judgment. 19 However, there are at least 50 verses in the Bible that claim that Jehovah God will judge the earth. Jesus claimed to be obeyed the voice of the LORD their God and the message of the prophet Haggai, because the LORD their God had sent him. And the people feared the LORD. (Haggai 1:12) They made their hearts as hard as flint and would not listen to the law or to the words that the LORD Almighty had sent by his Spirit through the earlier prophets. So the LORD Almighty was very angry. (Zechariah 7:12) See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4:5) 17 God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you. (Exodus 3:14) 18 and all things that are Mine are Thine, and Thine are Mine; and I have been glorified in them. (John 17:10) 19 For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son (John 5:22)

6 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 6 of 10 the one to separate the sheep from the goats. 20 However, the book of Ezekiel says that Jehovah God will do this. 21 Jesus claimed to be the resurrection and the life. 22 He said that He would personally raise everyone from the dead. 23 These are all attributes of God. Jesus claimed to be Lord of the Sabbath, 24 although the Bible indicates that God held such title. 25 Jesus claimed the ability to forgive sins. 26 Even the Jews recognized that this was a function of God alone. 27 Jesus claimed that He would return in the clouds in glory. 28 Isaiah makes the same claim for Jehovah God. 29 Obviously, Jesus was making a claim to deity. Jesus claimed to be the light of the world who provides salvation. 30 In the Psalms, David tells us that Jehovah God is our light and salvation. 31 Jesus also claimed to be the way to life 32 -an 20 But when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. And all the nations will be gathered before Him; and He will separate them from one another, as the shepherd separates the sheep from the goats; and He will put the sheep on His right, and the goats on the left. (Matthew 25:31-33) 21 And as for you, My flock, thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I will judge between one sheep and another, between the rams and the male goats. (Ezekiel 34:17) 22 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? ( John 11:25-26) 23 For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. (John 5:21) And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him, may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:39-40) No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44) He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:54) 24 For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:8) Consequently, the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. (Mark 2:28) And He was saying to them, The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath. (Luke 6:5) 25 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made. (Genesis 2:3) 26 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins -- then He said to the paralytic-- Rise, take up your bed, and go home. (Matthew 9:6) And Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, My son, your sins are forgiven. ( Mark 2:5) 27 Why does this man speak that way? He is blaspheming; who can forgive sins but God alone? (Mark 2:7) 28 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:30) BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. Even so. Amen. ( Revelation 1:7) 29 Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see it together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 40:5) 30 Again therefore Jesus spoke to them, saying, I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12) 31 (APsalmofDavid.) The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? (Psalms 27:1) 32 Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me. (John 14:6)

7 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 7 of 10 assertion that is made for God. 33 Jesus said that He was the one who searched the hearts and minds, 34 gives eternal life, 35 and rewards those who follow Him. 36 All of these characteristics are 37, 38, 39 found only in God. Jesus said He was the good shepherd, 40 who searches for His sheep. 41 These are claims made of GodintheOldTestament. 42, 43 Jesus claimed to be the fountain of living water. 44 This is a clear reference to what God said of Himself as recorded by the prophet Jeremiah. 45 Jesus said He wouldgiveresttothosewhofoundhim. 46 The same claim is made of God in the book of Exodus. 47 Jesus claimed to send the Holy Spirit (Helper). 48 The same claim is made for God. 49 Jesus said that He raised Himself from the dead, 50 even though the Bible says that God did it. 51 Among Jesus parting words, He told His disciples to baptize new followers in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 33 Thou wilt make known to me the path of life; In Thy presence is fullness of joy; In Thy right hand there are pleasures forever. (Psalms 16:11) 34...all the churches will know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts; and I will give to each one of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:23) 35 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they shall never perish; and no one shall snatch them out of My hand. (John 10:27-28) 36 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and WILL THEN RECOMPENSE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS. ( Matthew 16:27) 37 I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. (Jeremiah 17:10) 38 The fear of the LORD leads to life, So that one may sleep satisfied, untouched by evil. (Proverbs 19:23) 39 Behold, the Lord GOD will come with might, With His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, And His recompense before Him. (Isaiah 40:10) 40 I am the good shepherd; and I know My own, and My own know Me, (John 10:14) 41 But He answered and said, I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. (Matthew 15:24) 42 And he blessed Joseph, and said, The God before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, The God who has been my shepherd all my life to this day, (Genesis 48:15) 43 For thus says the Lord GOD, Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. (Ezekiel 34:11) 44 Jesus answered and said to her, If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink, you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water... Jesus answered and said to her, Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life. (John 4:10, 13-14) 45 O LORD, the hope of Israel, All who forsake Thee will be put to shame. Those who turn away on earth will be written down, Because they have forsaken the fountain of living water, even the LORD. (Jeremiah 17:13) 46 Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. ( Matthew 11:28-29) 47 And He said, My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14) 48 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper shall not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you. (John 16:7) 49 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; (John 14:16) 50 Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19) For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father. (John 10:17-18) 51 This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses. (Acts 2:32) let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead-- by this name this man stands here before you in good health. (Acts 4:10)

8 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 8 of 10 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) It should be noted that the other two names (Father and Holy Spirit) are names for God. In fact, the text says specifically that they should be baptized in the name (singular), not names, of the three persons mentioned. In order to be one name, they must all represent God. Jesus claimed that His disciples would be unable to do anything of significance with His power. Such a statement is a clear claim of divine power. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5) Jesus accepts the title of God One of the least favorite exchanges in the Bible from the cults perspective is the one that occurred between Jesus and Thomas after Jesus rose from the dead. Thomas, the ever-skeptical disciple, was unconvinced that Jesus had risen from the dead and wanted to see direct proof. However, when the Lord Jesus appeared to him, his only reaction was My Lord and my God! Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God! Jesus said to him, Because you have seen Me, have you believed? Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed. (John 20:28-29) What was Jesus reaction to the title of God? Did Jesus rebuke him for calling Him God? No! In fact, Jesus praised Thomas for his belief. And the belief that Thomas exhibited was that Jesus was Lord and God. If Jesus were not God, accepting such a statement for truth would be a grievous sin. Either Jesus is God or He would have to be a sinner! JesusclaimstobeGod The cults tend to acknowledge that Jesus and God were one in purpose. However, this is a rather weak claim. Every disciple of Jesus Christ has the goal of being one in purpose with God the Father. Even so, Jesus never used the word purpose in His claims of oneness with God. IandtheFatherareone. TheJewstookupstonesagaintostoneHim.Jesus answered them, I showed you many good works from the Father; for which of them are you stoning Me? The Jews answered Him, For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy; and because You, being a man, make Yourself out to be God. (John 10:30-33) Obviously, the Jews did not think that this claim of being one with the Father referred to purpose. They knew that He was claiming equality with God, which is why they tried to stone

9 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 9 of 10 Him. In addition, Jesus said outright that He was Lord 52 and claimed to be the first and the last, 53 an obvious trait reserved for God. 54 Jesus accepts worship reserved for God alone Some of the most significant statements Jesus made regarding His deity actually involve an argument from silence - what Jesus did not say. In no less than 12 instances, Jesus was worshipped by various people - the wise men, 55 the disciples, 56 a leper, 57 a synagogue official, 58 a woman of Canaan, 59 Mother of Zebedee s children, 60 ablindman, 61 angels, 62 and everybody in heaven. 63 The Bible clearly indicates that God alone is to be worshipped. 64 Even Jesus proclaimed this to Satan, when he tempted Him and demanded that He worship him. 65 Some members of cults claim that the people who worshipped Jesus did so improperly. There are a number of examples where people attempted to worship the disciples 66 or angels 67 and were 52 You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. (John 13:13) 53 And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as a dead man. And He laid His right hand upon me, saying, Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, (Revelation 1:17) 54 I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8) 55 And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and opening their treasures they presented to Him gifts of gold and frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11) 56 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, You are certainly God s Son! (Matthew 14:33) And behold, Jesus met them and greeted them. And they came up and took hold of His feet and worshiped Him. (Matthew 28:9) And when they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful. (Matthew 28:17) While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven. Then they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. (Luke 24:51-52) 57 And behold, a leper came to Him, and bowed down to Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. (Matthew 8:2) 58 While He was saying these things to them, behold, there came a synagogue official, and bowed down before Him, saying, My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live. (Matthew 9:18) 59 And behold, a Canaanite woman came out from that region... But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, Lord,helpme! (Matthew 15:22, 25) 60 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Him with her sons, bowing down, and making a request of Him. (Matthew 20:20) 61 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshiped Him. (John 9:38) 62 And when He again brings the first-born into the world, He says, AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM. (Hebrews 1:6) 63 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glor y and dominion forever and ever. And the four living creatures kept saying, Amen. And the elders fell down and worshiped. (Revelation 5:13-14) 64 -for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God-- (Exodus 34:14) You shall fear only the LORD your God; and you shall worship Him, and swear by His name. (Deuteronomy 6:13) 65 Then Jesus said to him, Be gone, Satan! For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY. (Matthew 4:10) And Jesus answered and said to him, It is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD AND SERVE HIM ONLY. (Luke 4:8) 66 And when it came about that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell at his feet and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I too am just a man. (Acts 10:25-26) 67 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said to me, Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and your brethren who hold the testimony of Jesus; worship God. For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10) And I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the

10 Jesus Christ Never Said He Was God? page 10 of 10 warned not to do so by the parties being worshipped. Jehovah s Witnesses claim that Jesus is the archangel Michael. However, the Bible clearly indicates that angels are not to be worshipped. 68 The problem arises that Jesus never told anyone to stop worshipping Him. If Jesus were not God, to say nothing in the face of worship would be a huge sin. So, if Jesus is not God, then He sinned in allowing others to worship Him. If He sinned, then Jesus could not even be the Savior, since the Savior must be without spot or blemish. By claiming that Jesus is not God, the cults turn Him into a liar and impostor. Conclusions Jesus never claimed to be God? It would seem from this large collection of sayings that Jesus made the claim to divinity constantly, in many different ways. Those who claim Jesus never said he was God are not reading his claims with the understanding of the true nature of God, as revealed in the Old and New Testaments. Jesus was constantly giving people advice. One of His favorite sayings is recorded below. It s good advice for those who really want to know Jesus. He who has ears to hear, let him hear. feet of the angel who showed me these things. And he said to me, Do not do that; I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who heed the words of this book; worship God. (Revelation 22:8-9) 68 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, (Colossians 2:18)